Man charged in last month's hit-and-run death of pedestrian in Cobb County

John Riddle, 34, was charged with felony hit and run in the death of a pedestrian on I-285 in Cobb County, police said.

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A 34-year-old Mableton man was arrested Tuesday in the hit-and-run death of a pedestrian that happened last month on I-285 in Cobb County.

John Hendrix Riddle was charged with felony hit and run and driving while license is suspended in connection with the May 18 death of 30-year-old Harry Maurent, Cobb County police said Wednesday. Riddle was arrested after investigators received an anonymous tip regarding the suspect and the vehicle involved, police spokesman Officer Mike Bowman said.

Due to the tip received, investigators were able to locate a black 2004 Saturn Vue with damage consistent with a high speed pedestrian wreck that happened near Cobb Parkway in Atlanta, Bowman said. They tracked the vehicle to Riddle who remained in the Cobb County jail Wednesday without bond, police said.

Investigators said that the driver of a black 2008 Nissan Versa was traveling westbound on I-285 when he came to a stop in the gore after running out of gas.

While the car was sitting between the right westbound travel lane and the ramp from northbound I-75 to westbound I-285, the passenger exited the disabled car in an attempt to cross the ramp, Bowman said. But Maurent never made it.

The 30-year-old Austell man was struck by what investigators believe was a light-colored mid-size pickup or sport utility vehicle around 11:30 p.m., Bowman said. Investigators believe that the driver may have possibly been driving a Saturn SUV, which is likely to have front end damage to include the headlight assembly.

After he was struck by the hit-and-run, the victim was struck by three other vehicles while he was down in the roadway, Officer Bowman said. All three of those drivers have been identified and are cooperating with investigators.

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Former police reporter for The State newspaper, Kimathi T. Lewis left her mark in print with stories that evoked community support and a column that helped capture dozens of fugitives. This award-winning reporter with a B.A. in Journalism can be reached at naturekleen@msn.com.